Chinese Drone WZ‑8: A New Threat to the US Fleet?

The exact date the photo was captured and the initial flight of the WZ-8 beneath the carrier's fuselage remain unknown. The drone was first revealed, possibly as a model, during a military parade in 2019, and a flight demonstration took place in 2022.

International media quickly drew parallels between the WZ-8, dubbed "hypersonic" by the Chinese, and the American reconnaissance drone D-21, developed in the 1960s.

The D-21 was part of the Lockheed D-21/M-21 reconnaissance setup, and its carrier was the precursor to the SR-71 Blackbird aircraft, known as the M-21.

The D-21's mission was to undertake reconnaissance over territories deemed too risky for manned flights after the U-2 spy plane incident over the USSR. In the early 1970s, China intercepted one of these units.

Consequently, the "new" Chinese drone's resemblance to the older American model has sparked skepticism regarding Beijing's secretive equipment's true capabilities.

Specific details about the WZ-8 remain undisclosed. Judging by its resemblance to the American design, its range is estimated to be around 4,971 miles, with a top speed of approximately 2,299 mph. The drone is thought to weigh about 11,023 pounds, measure around 39 feet in length, and have a wingspan of about 20 feet.

With its extensive range and high speed, the WZ-8 is believed to be capable of early detection, attack, and destruction of American carrier strike groups. Beijing considers these groups the most significant threat in a potential armed conflict with the United States in the Pacific.